The Missing Girl

Teitan Middle School.

As Sonoko Suzuki ate the cake in her hand, she said to Ran Mouri, "Hey, Ran! Have you heard? Lately, there's been a pervert kidnapping girls. A lot of people have already gone missing! It's so scary~" She even shuddered after saying that.

Ran frowned and asked worriedly, "Really? That's terrifying! What happened to the people who disappeared? Have they been found?"

Sonoko shook her head, continuing to eat her cake as she answered indistinctly, "No idea. The police are investigating, but there hasn't been any progress so far. And this pervert seems really cunning—he always manages to avoid the police."

School was over, and the students left in groups, but Ran Mouri set off for home alone. She walked lightly through the bustling crowd, yet a faint sense of unease lingered in her heart. Ran frowned, her gaze repeatedly darting behind her, as though she could feel a pair of eyes watching her from the rear. The sensation frightened her, and she unconsciously quickened her pace, trying to shake off that invisible pressure.

As she walked, Ran Mouri vigilantly observed her surroundings. The trees lining both sides of the street swayed their branches and leaves, rustling in the breeze. Her heartbeat gradually accelerated, and her breathing grew rapid. With every step, the feeling of being followed became stronger. Ran stopped and turned around, sweeping her gaze over the road behind her. Yet aside from a few pedestrians and vehicles, she found nothing unusual. She let out a breath of relief, thinking perhaps she was simply being oversensitive. But when she turned back around to continue on her way, that feeling of being followed surged up again.

A chill crept up Ran Mouri's spine, and she decided she could no longer sit still and wait. She picked up speed and began to run, wanting to get home as quickly as possible. Her footsteps echoed through the quiet street, as if voicing the panic and unease in her heart. She did not know who was following her, nor what they wanted. That uncertainty terrified her all the more.

But the footsteps behind Ran Mouri kept drawing closer, like a death knell that relentlessly assaulted her nerves. Ran did not know how long she had been running, but she knew she could not stop, because she could feel the person behind her getting closer and closer. She did not dare look back and could only run forward with all her strength.

At last, Ran could not help looking behind her. She saw a man in a tattered overcoat, wearing sunglasses and a black mask, racing after her at incredible speed. His strides were steady and powerful, as though every step landed on Ran's heart. Ran's heart tightened. She realized this man was likely the one who had been following her, and he seemed to have already targeted her.

However, Ran Mouri had not run far before the man caught up with her. She stopped and turned around, her eyes filled with vigilance and hostility. Her hands clenched into fists as she assumed a karate stance, ready to attack at any moment. She knew the man before her might pose a threat, but she would not show weakness so easily.

Suddenly, the man flicked his hand, scattering a cloud of powder from his palm. Ran had no time to react and was completely unprepared. Her vision turned white, and she inhaled a considerable amount of the powder.

Ran immediately felt dizzy, while a wave of heat rose in her chest. Realizing something was wrong, her body began to sway uncontrollably, and the scene before her eyes grew blurry.

She bit her lip hard, trying to force herself awake, but found it did no good.

This is bad! What's happening to me? Did that man drug me?

Just then, she suddenly felt a hand reaching around from behind, trying to grab her. With every last ounce of strength, Ran kicked backward at the man behind her, knocking him to the ground.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ran turned and ran into the distance. Her steps were unsteady, as if she might collapse at any moment, but she still gritted her teeth and desperately pushed forward.

"Damn it... I can't stop... I absolutely can't let that bastard get what he wants..." Ran panted heavily as she struggled to keep her balance.

She did not know where she could run to. She only knew that she had to get away from that dangerous place as quickly as possible. She hoped to find somewhere safe, wait for the drug's effects to pass, or find a way to get help.